EXPERIENCE TAIWAN RURAL ADVENTURES by Edison Travel Service Tailor-made itineraries into Taiwan’s indigenous and rural areas are developed by Cheryl Robbins, a licensed, native English-speaker tour

guide and published travel writer, as well as Menno Goedhart, former Netherlands representative to Taiwan and current Taiwan Tourism

Ambassador. We provide complete packages including driver, tour guide, and trip planning based on your interests and schedule.

Our standard itineraries provide just a few examples of all that Taiwan’s rural and indigenous areas have to offer. They are focused on

places that are off-the-beaten-path and that offer a glimpse into Taiwan’s hospitality, cultural diversity and spectacular scenery. In addition, an

effort has been made to link them with more popular tourism destinations, to allow travelers to make the most of their time in Taiwan.

Please contact Cheryl Robbins at cheryl@tribe-asia.com or cherylrh@yahoo.com for details about this itinerary or creating a

tailor-made itinerary for exploring Taiwan’s indigenous and rural areas.

What to expect:

Taiwan is a small, advanced island nation. Many of Taiwan’s indigenous communities are located in somewhat remote areas, but all can be

reached by paved roads. Taiwan’s indigenous tribes have had contact with the outside world and mainstream society for a long time. Even in

their villages, they mostly live in, to Taiwan standards, modern houses and dress in modern clothing. However, it is still possible to

experienceTaiwan’s rich indigenous culture. In addition, communities are surrounded by natural beauty, offering excellent ecotourism

opportunities. These include, but are not limited to, hiking, river tracing, bird watching, swimming, white water rafting, and paragliding.

There is usually at least one small grocery store in each village where you can buy snacks and toiletries. However, you will need to bring

along enough New Taiwan Dollar (NT$) in cash, as credit cards are rarely accepted and there are very few ATMs or banks.

Basic medical care and first aid is usually available but there is rarely a pharmacy. So, bring along an ample supply of all necessary

prescription and over-the-counter medication.

There are not many hotels located in indigenous and rural areas. Accommodation will mostly be in family-run guesthouses.

What to bring:

1. Adequate supply of all needed prescription and non-prescription medication.

2. Toiletries: Shampoo/conditioner, soap/shower gel, towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, hair gel, etc. In indigenous villages, we will mostly

be staying in family-run guesthouses and not all will provide these items, so it is best to prepare.

3. Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, swimsuit, mosquito repellent, comfortable walking shoes.

4. Most, but not all, guesthouses will have Internet access. Voltage is 110V.

5. Camera, extra battery, extra memory card.

6. Adequate cash (in NT$).

7. Notebook, pen

8. Flashlight

9. Sense of curiosity and sense of humor.

5-day Eastern Taiwan This tour includes a visit to the National Museum of Prehistory which houses exhibitions on Taiwan’s prehistoric cultures and indigenous tribes.

We also visit Paiwan, Rukai, Truku and Amis tribe villages, as well as ride the rapids of the Xiuguluan River and spend time in the spectacular

Taroko Gorge.

Date Itinerary

D1

Taipei/Taitung (Taitung City, Taimali Township, Jinfeng Township) Meals: Lunch and dinner

From Taipei’s Songshan Airport, we will take a flight to Taitung’s Fengnian Airport. Taitung is located in the

southeastern part of Taiwan and boasts the longest coastline (nearly 200 kilometers) of any county in Taiwan.

At the National Museum of Prehistory, you will gain an overview of Taiwan’s natural history and indigenous

culture. We will then head southward to Taimali and Jinfeng townships. Both of these townships were

devastated during Typhoon Morakot in August 2009. The residents have shown that the human spirit can

overcome natural disaster and have rebuilt their communities. We arrive at the first indigenous community on

this tour, Xinxianglan Village. This is home to members of the Paiwan and Amis tribe. The residents of this

village have revived several aspects of Paiwan culture including the youth meeting hall and hunters’ school

(for teaching survival skills and tribal legends) and millet growing. Millet was once a staple food of many

indigenous tribes in Taiwan. A dinner of dishes made using local millet and traditional indigenous ingredients

will be served at the village’s restaurant.

Accommodation: Tjiljuvekang Art & Leisure Guesthouse or equivalent. (Note: It may be necessary to share a

bathroom this night.)

Tjiljuvekeng Art & Leisure Guesthouse (吉盧夫敢藝文民宿) 8-1, Lin 1, Xinxing Village, Jinfeng Township, Taitung County, Taiwan 台東縣金峰鄉新興村 1 鄰 8 之 1 號 Tel: +886-89-782-165

This guesthouse is owned and operated by Utjutj Tjiljuvekang, a member of the Paiwan tribe who is

originally from Xinxing Village. However, he spent most of his working life in urban areas, recently

returning to his village to become reacquainted with his roots. From the outside, this guesthouse is very

striking. The white walls are painted with black murals, the subjects of which are Paiwan culture, such as the

grinding of millet and hunting. Also in front of the guesthouse is a statue of a Paiwan male climbing a pole

on which there is a hundred pace pit viper. Next to this is a stack of logs. Obtaining such a stack of logs was

part of the preparations for Paiwan weddings of the chieftain clan. The guesthouse has five rooms on the

second and third floors, with a shared bathroom on each floor. There is also a balcony for viewing the

star-filled sky at night or the Pacific coast during the day. This guesthouse is located right within Xinxing

Village and makes a good base from which to explore the area on foot.

D2

Jinfeng Township/Taimali Township (Taitung)/Ruisui Township (Hualien) Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

We will start the day with a tour of Xinxing Village in Jinfeng Township. The residents of this village are

mostly from the Paiwan and Rukai tribes. There are eight chieftains in this village and a tour will include

some of their homes as well as a workshop selling products designed and produced by village residents. This

village is perched on a mountain slope and from here there are excellent views of the coast and Pacific

Ocean.

After the tour, we will enjoy a Taimali Township specialty, beef noodles. After lunch, we head north to

Hualien County, making stops at some of the scenic places in the East Rift Valley, a valley bordered on one

side by the Coastal Mountain Range and on the other by the Central Mountain Range. We will arrive in

Ruisui Township. This township is home to three indigenous tribes: Amis, Truku and Bunun. It is also

famous for its natural hot springs, cycling paths and whitewater raft rides along the Xiuguluan River. For dinner, we will enjoy hot pot, a Chinese dish of broth boiled over a fire in which you add meat and

vegetables. The twist here is local wild greens.

After dinner, we head to a hot springs guesthouse where you can socialize outdoors in a large pool of natural

hot springs water or enjoy the soothing waters in a large bathtub in the privacy of your own room. The iron

content of these spring waters makes them appear rust in color. It is safe for bathing but not for ingesting.

Also, due to the metal content it is best to rinse off after bathing. Accommodation: Yuan Hsiang Hot Springs Homestay or equivalent.

Yuan Hsiang Hot Springs Homestay (原鄉溫泉民宿)

325, Wufu Road, Lin 5, Ruixiang Village, Ruisui Township, Hualien County, Taiwan 花蓮縣瑞穗鄉瑞祥村 5 鄰五福路 325 號 Tel: +886-38-876-307; +886-38-876-308 www.yuan-hhs.com.tw (in Chinese only) This homestay is located in the Ruisui Hot Springs Area and has a park-like setting. The rooms include a

private hot springs bathing area with an adjacent shower. Outside are tubs and a large pool for soaking in the

soothing waters while looking out at the surrounding fields and mountains during the day and up at the

star-filled sky at night. Bicycles are available for guests to take advantage of the nearby cycling paths.

D3 isui Township (Hualien)/Xiulin Township (Hualien)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Today starts out with a thrilling ride along 24 kilometers of the Xiuguluan River. We will experience more

than a dozen rapids along this Grade 3 river. A simple lunch will be served along the river bank about half

way to the ending point. After a shower and change of clothes we continue our drive through the East Rift

Valley to Xiulin Township, home to the Truku and Sediq indigenous tribes and the world famous Taroko

Gorge. We will tour one of the indigenous communities in this township before enjoying a dinner of

indigenous cuisine. Accommodation: Crossing the Rainbow Bridge Guesthouse or equivalent.

Crossing the Rainbow Bridge Guesthouse (走過虹橋民宿) 210, Lin 3, Chongde Village, Xiulin Township, Hualien County 花蓮縣秀林鄉崇德村 3 鄰 210 號 Tel: +886-38-621-328 www.teyra.com.tw In the traditional beliefs of the Truku tribe, only those who observe the moral code of the “gaya” will be able

to cross the rainbow bridge and be in the presence of the ancestral spirits. This guesthouse is owned by Teyra

Yudaw, an indigenous autonomy activist who has spoken at the United Nations. He is very happy to share his

knowledge of Truku culture with guests. The rooms are beautifully decorated and some have breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The water for

the shower comes from clear mountain springs and is heated by solar panels. Each of the seven rooms has a

different name in the Truku language such as Wili (leech) or Skadang (many molars). This guesthouse is

located near the entrance to Taroko National Park. Guests can make use of bicycles for a leisurely tour of the

surrounding area.

D4 Taroko Gorge

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

On this day, we explore the spectacular Taroko Gorge. We first hike the Shakadang Trail. Along this trail,

local indigenous people grow bird’s nest fern, an ingredient in indigenous cuisine, and the aquamarine waters

of the Shakadang River flow. After this, we will finish exploring the gorge and its natural beauty including

the Eternal Spring Shrine, Buluowan and Swallows’ Grotto. Hotel: Silks Place Taroko (5-star) or similar

Silks Place Taroko (太魯閣晶英酒店) 18, Tianxiang Road, Xiulin Township, Hualien County, Taiwan 花蓮縣秀林鄉天祥路 18 號 Tel: +886-3-8691155 http://taroko.silksplace.com.tw/en/aboutus.html Silks Place Taroko is part of the Formosa International Hotel Corporation, under the Silks Hotel brand. This

mountainside hotel is the only 5-star accommodation located within the boundaries of Taroko National Park.

Silks Place Taroko is designed in the modern Chinese style and combines Taroko’s cultural and

environmental characteristics. The four pillars on the hotel’s façade each measure nine meters in height and

are made from sandstone from Shanxi Province of China. On these pillars are carved motifs of four of

Taiwan’s indigenous tribes: Rukai, Tao, Puyuma and Amis.

D5 Taroko Gorge/Xiulin Township/Taipei Meals: Breakfast and lunch

After leaving the Taroko Gorge, we continue our cultural tour of Xiulin Township. Stops include visits to a

workshop creating products from local natural stone, the Truku community of Sanzhan, and a museum

devoted to the past tradition of facial tattooing. After our tour, we head back to Taipei via van along the

Suhua Highway and Xueshan Tunnel (12.6 kilometers long) or train to arrive at about 7:00 p.m.

PRICE: For groups of 2 ~3 persons = NT$73,200 per person For groups of 4~5 persons = NT$47,700 per person For groups of 6~9 persons = NT$42,900 per person Single supplement add NT$4,000

INCLUDES: Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner); Admission; Insurance; Transportation; Professional, Licensed Tour Guide; Accommodation

(based on double occupancy).

REMARKS: Please note that the above rates are not applicable during public holidays, on Saturdays or New Year’s Eve. Itineraries are subject to change due to weather or road conditions and availability.

Information about the tribes visited on this tour:

Amis tribe

With a population of more than 140,000, the Amis is by far the largest of Taiwan's officially recognized indigenous tribes. The mountains

and coast of Hualien to Taitung are where this tribe is concentrated. Traditionally, the Amis possessed a matrilineal society. Women inherited the

family property and children were named according to their mother's name. Although women were responsible for the major decisions in their

individual households, the political decisions of the village were made by men, with division of labor based on a strict age hierarchy.The Harvest

Festival is held in July and August to celebrate the harvest of millet, a traditional staple grain.

Paiwan tribe

The Paiwan tribe is concentrated in Pingtung and Taitung counties. This tribe traditionally possessed a strict social hierarchy of chieftain,

nobility and commoners. The chieftains are responsible for preserving traditions and ceremonies and overseeing the welfare of the village

residents. They are the landowners and it is the commoners who work their land, providing a portion of the crops to the chieftains for the use of

the land. The Paiwan tribe is well known for the high quality of its art works and handicrafts including pottery making, wood carving and bead

making.

Rukai tribe

The Rukaitribe is concentrated in Pingtung and Taitung counties, as well as in the mountainous areas of Kaohsiung City. The Rukai

maintained a strict social hierarchy with a nobility and common class. Certain patterns on clothing and accessories and carved on homes could

only be used by the nobility, such as human head, human figure, hundred-pace pit viper, lily and pottery vessel patterns. The lily flower denotes

social order and morality. The right to wear this flower in the headdress was only granted to outstanding warriors and hunters and to young

women of virtue. These symbols of honor and social standing are most evident during major ceremonies, such as the annual Millet Harvest

Festival.

Sediq tribe

The distribution of the Sediq tribe is in Nantou and Hualien counties. Similar to the Atayal tribe, the Sediq once practiced facial tattooing. A

woman was able to receive facial tattoos if she proved herself a skilled weaver, i.e. able to clothe her family. A man was able to receive facial

tattoos if he proved himself a capable warrior, i.e. able to defend his family and village. Textiles were traditionally made using ramie, a type of

Asian hemp, and woven on a horizontal backstrap loom. This was hard work, especially as many of the traditional patterns were quite

complicated such as rhombuses within rhombuses which represent “the eyes of the ancestors”.

Truku tribe

This tribe originally inhabited Nantou County, but as its population grew it moved into what is today Taroko National Park in Hualien County.

The highway that cuts through Taroko Gorge was expanded from a Truku tribe hunting trail. However, in the early 20th

century, the Truku tribe

was forced to move out of this gorge by the occupying Japanese forces. This tribe is still concentrated in villages surrounding Taroko National

Park. As with the Atayal and Sediq tribes, the Truku tribe also practiced facial tattooing.

Detailed itinerary:

National Museum of Prehistory Opened in 2001, this is Taiwan’s first public museum devoted to archaeology. Its main purpose is

to display artifacts from the prehistoric Beinan Culture unearthed from the nearby Beinan Cultural

Park. Of importance to visitors planning to spend time in indigenous areas is an entire floor

dedicated to Taiwan’s indigenous culture. Displays in this area cover topics of language, clothing,

arts, ceremonies and traditional lifestyles.

Taimali and Jinfeng Townships (Taitung County)

Taimali and Jinfeng Townships are located side by side in the southern part of Taitung

County. These townships are mainly home to the Paiwan and Rukai tribes, with a small population

of Amis. Indigenous peoples in these townships are working to preserve and revive traditions

including those related to the growing of millet, once a staple grain, and the youth meeting hall.

Xinxianglan Village in Taimali Township was one of the first Paiwan villages to create a hunter’s

school and meeting hall for the young males of the tribe. The youth meeting hall was traditionally a

place for the youth to socialize, learn survival skills and to listen to the oral history of the village as

told by the elders. Training includes starting a fire, signaling for help using smoke, sleeping outside

without a sleeping bag or tent, walking in the dark of a night in a mountain forest, diving, climbing

rock faces and using several types of hunting weapons including bow and arrow, knife and rifle. A

meeting hall and training courses are being developed for the young females of the village, so that

they will also be able to have a place to socialize and to learn the traditions of the tribe. In addition,

the Paiwan and Rukau tribes traditionally possessed a strict hierarchy of chieftain, nobility and

common classes, and in these townships this hierarchy is still evident, such as the use of symbols

including a banyan tree and stone carving to mark the homes of the chieftains.

On August 8, 2009, Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan dumping more than 2500mm (100 inches) of

rain. This extreme amount of rain brought catastrophic damage including massive mudslides and

severe flooding to parts of these townships. But, there is a spirit of recovery and renewal here as

homes, workshops and business are rebuilt and reopened. In addition to indigenous culture, Taimail and Jinfeng townships offer natural hot springs and

panoramic views of the mountains and coastline.

East Rift Valley

The East Rift Valley is a long, narrow valley flanked by the Central Mountain Range to the west

and the Coastal Mountain Range to the east, bordered by Hualien City to the north and Taitung City

to the south. There are three main river systems, namely the Hualien, Xiuguluan and Beinan rivers,

which create a closely knit network of waterways in this area. Each of these rivers originates in the

high mountains at 2,000 to 3,000 meters in elevation. These rivers have led to the formation of

canyons, waterfalls, hot springs, river terraces, alluvial plains, faults and badlands. They have also

created many unique natural landscapes. This valley is home to five of Taiwan’s 14 officially

recognized indigenous tribes: Amis, Bunun, Puyuma, Sakizaya and Truku.

Ruisui Township (Hualien County)

Ruisui Township is located within the East Rift Valley with spectacular landscapes that

include hills, mountains and farmland. This township is very popular among tourists for its many

attractions such as hot springs, cycling paths, nature trails, whitewater rafting and tea plantations.

Unfortunately, many visitors pass through here without even realizing that this township is rich in

indigenous culture. Ruisui is home to the Amis tribe, with some villages able to trace their history

back hundreds of years. There are also communities of the Truku and Bunun tribes to explore.

The source of the Ruisui Hot Springs is the upper reaches of the Hongye River. The natural

temperature of these sodium carbonate spring waters is about 48oC. These waters contain an

abundant amount of iron which creates a rust color. This is one of the flatter areas of Ruisui

Township and there is a cycling path that runs along the main road of the hot springs area.

One of the most popular activities in Ruisui is whitewater rafting along the Xiuguluan River.

The Xiuguluan River originates in the Central Mountain Range, but it is the 24-kilometer long

section from the Changhong Bridge in Ruisui to Dagangkou, an Amis village along the coast, that

is the best for rafting. This part of the river meanders through a steep gorge and features more than

20 sets of rapids. It takes about three or four hours to complete the trip. The best time is between

April and October, but it is possible to raft here all year long.

Xiulin Township (Hualien County)

Xiulin Township is located in the northern part of Hualien County between the coast and the

mountains. It is home to the spectacular Taroko Gorge, one of Taiwan’s most popular tourist

destinations. Although Taroko National Park is within an area rich in indigenous culture and

history, this does not become evident until you explore the surrounding communities. For example,

the Taiwanese Aborigine Tattoo Culture Museum provides information about the facial tattooing

traditions of the Atayal, Sediq and Truku tribes. This practice was forcibly discontinued by the

Japanese in the 1930s during their occupation of Taiwan (1895-1945). Kimi Sibal, a member of the

indigenous Sediq tribe, has devoted much of the last two decades to preserving the remnants of the

facial tattooing traditions by photographing the elders who were tattooed before the tradition

disappeared. Kimi founded this museum to display his photographs, as well as historical items such

as traditional tattooing tools. Xiulin Village of Xiulin Township is made up of three communities of the Truku tribe: Kulu,

Dowras and Bsuring. A tour of this village includes weaving and woodcarving workshops,

churches, fields of bird’s nest fern (an ingredient in traditional indigenous cuisine) and maybe even

a stop at one of the karaokes featuring coin-operated machines. In the Sanzhan Community, there is

a traditional Truku watchtower to explore and a chance to try your skill with a bow and arrow. The

waters of the Sanzhan River are very clear and local residents often swim here. This is also a good

place to learn about and purchase products made from local rose stone and bloodstone.

Taroko Gorge (Hualien County) Taroko Gorge is a marble gorge created over millions of years and through this gorge flow

the aquamarine waters of the Liwu River. This area was designated part of Taroko National Park in

1986. This park covers parts of Hualien County, Nantou County and Taichung City and was once

home to the Truku tribe (also known as the Taroko tribe) until it was forced to move out by the

Japanese during their occupation of Taiwan (1895-1945). Near the entrance to the national park is the Shakadang Trail. In 1940, the Japanese built the

Shakadang Trail to develop a hydropower plant along the Liwu River. Along the 4.5 kilometer

trail, you will see patches of bird’s nest fern. This is a common ingredient in Truku cuisine and is

grown along this trail by members of the tribe. This is a fairly flat trail and is well marked. There

are explanatory panels in Chinese and English. The trail follows the Shakadang River which

features beautiful aquamarine waters and natural marble with intriguing folds and shapes.

The Eternal Spring Shrine was built to commemorate those who lost their lives in the building of

the highway that runs through Taroko Gorge (1956-1960). This is a picturesque shrine built above

the Eternal Spring Waterfall. Buluowan is a recreation area that features an exhibition center on Truku culture. This is

because this was once the location of a Truku community. In addition, visitors can explore one of

several nature trails or enjoy a cup of coffee on a large veranda overlooking a meadow that is

surrounded by towering mountains. At Swallows’ Grotto, the gorge narrows significantly, and this is where visitors can obtain

good views of the rock cliffs. Swallows’ Grotto Trail is about a half kilometer. This narrow tunnel

created from the rock with large openings for viewing the gorge was once part of the Central

Cross-Island Highway. In 2005, a bypass for vehicular traffic was created so that pedestrians could

walk through the tunnel and enjoy the scenery. Visitors will also see many nesting and flying

swallows, for which this place was named. It is necessary to wear a hard hat during your walk here

as there is sometimes falling rock. Tianxiang is a large river terrace recreational area. Places to visit include the Catholic Church,

Presbyterian Church, the Pudu Bridge and a giant statue of Guanyin or goddess of mercy.

Information about the tribes visited on this tour: Amis tribe

With a population of more than 140,000, the Amis is by far the largest of Taiwan's officially recognized indigenous tribes. The mountains

and coast of Hualien to Taitung are where this tribe is concentrated. Traditionally, the Amis possessed a matrilineal society. Women inherited

the family property and children were named according to their mother's name. Although women were responsible for the major decisions in

their individual households, the political decisions of the village were made by men, with division of labor based on a strict age hierarchy.The

Harvest Festival is held in July and August to celebrate the harvest of millet, a traditional staple grain. Paiwan tribe

The Paiwan tribe is concentrated in Pingtung and Taitung counties. This tribe traditionally possessed a strict social hierarchy of chieftain,

nobility and commoners. The chieftains are responsible for preserving traditions and ceremonies and overseeing the welfare of the village

residents. They are the landowners and it is the commoners who work their land, providing a portion of the crops to the chieftains for the use of

the land. The Paiwan tribe is well known for the high quality of its art works and handicrafts including pottery making, wood carving and bead

making. Rukai tribe The Rukaitribe is concentrated in Pingtung and Taitung counties, as well as in the mountainous areas of Kaohsiung City. The Rukai

maintained a strict social hierarchy with a nobility and common class. Certain patterns on clothing and accessories and carved on homes could

only be used by the nobility, such as human head, human figure, hundred-pace pit viper, lily and pottery vessel patterns. The lily flower denotes

social order and morality. The right to wear this flower in the headdress was only granted to outstanding warriors and hunters and to young

women of virtue. These symbols of honor and social standing are most evident during major ceremonies, such as the annual Millet Harvest

Festival. Sediq tribe

The distribution of the Sediq tribe is in Nantou and Hualien counties. Similar to the Atayal tribe, the Sediq once practiced facial tattooing. A

woman was able to receive facial tattoos if she proved herself a skilled weaver, i.e. able to clothe her family. A man was able to receive facial

tattoos if he proved himself a capable warrior, i.e. able to defend his family and village. Textiles were traditionally made using ramie, a type of

Asian hemp, and woven on a horizontal backstrap loom. This was hard work, especially as many of the traditional patterns were quite

complicated such as rhombuses within rhombuses which represent “the eyes of the ancestors”. Truku tribe This tribe originally inhabited Nantou County, but as its population grew it moved into what is today Taroko National Park in Hualien County.

The highway that cuts through Taroko Gorge was expanded from a Truku tribe hunting trail. However, in the early 20th

century, the Truku tribe

was forced to move out of this gorge by the occupying Japanese forces. This tribe is still concentrated in villages surrounding Taroko National

Park. As with the Atayal and Sediq tribes, the Truku tribe also practiced facial tattooing.

5-day Sun Moon Lake and AlishanTsou Culture

D1 Taipei/Alishan Meals: Lunch and dinner

After being picked up from hotel lobby in Taipei, we will drive to Alishan Township, which is located in

Chiayi Township of southern Taiwan. Our first stop will be Fenqihu, which is an old forestry stown. Here, we

will enjoy a local specialty—a railway lunchbox featuring meat that is stewed or roasted and stir-fried

vegetables. After lunch, we will explore Fenqihu Old Street and the surrounding town. Some of the buildings

from its heyday are still well preserved. After this we will head to a village of the Tsou tribe.

Accommodation: Lanho Guesthouse or equivalent

Lanho Guesthouse (來吉蘭后渡假民宿) 11, Lin 1, Laiji Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan 嘉義縣阿里山鄉來吉村 1 鄰 11 號 Tel: +886-5-266-1172 http://www.lanhou.idv.tw/live.php (in Chinese only) This guesthouse is located right in the center of Laiji Village, a community of the Tsou tribe situated in the

foothills of Tashan. Tashan is considered the sacred mountain of the Tsou and is where the ancestral spirits are

believed to dwell. The rooms are simply decorated, but comfortable. The grounds include a traditional Tsou

watchtower, Tsou cultural exhibition room, and coffee shop. The owners are local residents who are very

familiar with the community and its history and attractions

D2 Alishan Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

On this day we enjoy some of the natural and cultural beauty of Alishan Township that makes this one of

Taiwan’s premier tourist destinations. We explore indigenous culture such as the kuba (pronounced ‘koo ba’)

or men’s meeting hall. There are a number of trails to hike and artisan workshops to explore including leather

engraving, bamboo and rattan weaving and wood carving. We will also visit Shizhuo’s tea growing area and

sample some of the local brew in a tea processing shop. Accommodation: Alishan 53.1 Guesthouse or equivalent

Alishan 53.1 Guesthouse (阿里山 53.1 民宿) 76-8, Xiding, Lin 5, Gongtian Village, Fanlu Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan 嘉義縣番路鄉公田村 5 鄰隙頂 76 之 8 號 Tel: +886-5-258-6263 http://531.okgo.tw/room.html This guesthouse features large picture windows for enjoying the surrounding mountain and tea plantation

views. From this guesthouse it is easy to access the Eryanping Trail which takes you through bamboo forest

and to a viewpoint famous for viewing the clouds and mist that roll into the Alishan area most afternoons. Or,

relax in the spacious garden.

D3 Alishan/Xinyi Township (Nantou)

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

On this day, we leave Alishan and explore the central Taiwan county of Nantou, considered one of Taiwan’s

most beautiful counties for its towering mountains, pristine forests, crystal clear rivers and natural hot

springs. We stop at Wangxiang Village, one of Taiwan’s indigenous village tourism success stories. This

Bunun village identified its strengths including a hunter’s trail, once used to reach areas deep into the

mountains in search of game, indigenous cuisine and, in good weather, views of Yushan (Mt. Jade),

Northeast Asia’s highest peak. In addition to being home to the Bunun tribe this area of Nantou is famous for

its plums, which are turned into many products including liquor. We visit a local winery to sample some of

these products and learn how they are made. We end the day with a soak in the natural hot springs waters and

the mountain scenery of Dongpu Village. Accommodation: Tilun Tonpu Hotel or equivalent

Tilun Tonpu Hotel (東埔帝綸大飯店) 86, Kaigao Lane, Dongpu Hot Springs, Xinyi Township, Nantou County, Taiwan 南投縣信義鄉東埔溫泉開高巷 86 號 Tel: +886-49-270-1616 http://tilun.hotel.com.tw/rooms.asp (in Chinese only) This hot springs resort is located on the northern side of Yushan, also known as Mt. Jade. Yushan is the

highest peak in Northeast Asia, reaching 3,952 meters in height. Thus, it should be no surprise that this hotel

offers beautiful mountain views. Guests can enjoy the many facilities such as pools filled with natural hot

springs water, coffee shop and gym.

D4 Xinyi Township (Nantou)/Sun Moon Lake (Nantou) Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Explore Taiwan’s largest, natural lake by boat and then see some of the sights up close, such as the Wenwu

Temple, devoted to the ancient Chinese sage Confucius and Cien Pagoda built by the late President Chiang

Kai-shek in memory of his mother. We will also visit Itathao, a village of the indigenous Thao tribe. Accommodation: Fleur de Chine, Sun Moon Lake (mountain view) (5-star) or similar

Fleur de Chine Hotel (日月潭雲品酒店) 23, Zhongzheng Rd., Sun Moon Lake, Yuchi Township, Nantou County, Taiwan 南投縣魚池鄉日月潭中正路 23 號 Tel: +886-49-285-6788

http://en.fleurdechinehotel.com/?Psn=5820 The Fleur de Chine Hotel is situated along the northern peninsula of Sun Moon Lake. This is one of the

newest and most luxurious resorts in this area. This hotel has many facilities to explore including hot springs

pool, swimming pool, spa, gym, rock climbing wall, restaurants and lounges.

D5 Sun Moon Lake (Nantou)/Nanzhuang Township (Miaoli)/Taipei Meals: Lunch and dinner

From Sun Moon Lake, we drive northward to the border between central and northern Taiwan, namely Miaoli

County. We head into the mountains of Nanzhuang Village and stop at the Rainasay Workshop in Shibi

Village. Here, we will learn about the traditional weaving and dyeing culture of the Atayal tribe and dye a

handkerchief as a personalized souvenir. We enjoy lunch in this village’s restaurant or along the banks of

Xiangtian Lake. Xiangtian Village is home to the Saisiyat tribe. Here we walk around the lake and explore

part of the village. We will learn about the tribe’s Pasta’ay or Dwarf Spirit Ceremony at the ceremonial

grounds and the adjacent cultural center. We end this trip by relaxing with a cup of coffee or tea amid a

beautiful, mountain setting and crossing a suspension bridge. We then drive back to Taipei arriving at about

7:00 p.m.

PRICE:

For groups of 2-3 persons = NT$63,900 per person

For groups of 4-5 persons = NT$39,500 per person

For groups of 6~9 persons = NT$34,900 per person

Single supplement add NT$4,500

INCLUDES: Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), Admission, Insurance, Transportation, Professional, Licensed Tour Guide, Accommodation

(based on double occupancy).

REMARKS: Please note that above rate not applicable during public holiday, Saturday and New Year Eve.

Information about the tribes visited on this tour: Atayal tribe The Atayal has the largest distribution among Taiwan’s indigenous tribes, stretching from the north to the center and east. This tribe traditionally

practiced facial tattooing, which symbolized entry into adulthood and eligibility for marriage. The Atayal believed that after death a person

crosses a rainbow bridge to join the ancestral spirits. These tattoos allowed the Atayal to be recognized as members of the tribe and to secure

passage over this bridge. Bunun tribe The Bunun tribe’s distribution includes Nantou, Hualien and Taitung counties, as well as Kaohsiung City. The men of this tribe are considered

excellent hunters, even today. Bunun boys learn how to hunt early on and hone their skills by shooting targets as small as the ear of a deer. The

Bunun tribe was the only tribe to develop a calendar using icons to mark major farming and hunting activities, as well as important ceremonies.

Saisiyat tribe This tribe is mainly distributed in the mountains of Miaoli and Hsinchu counties. The Pasta’ay or Dwarf Spirit Ceremony is held along the banks

of Xiangtian Lake every two years to appease the spirits of a legendary tribe. The members of this tribe are said to have taught the Saisiyat how

to farm the land and other useful skills, but that the males of that tribe constantly harassed the Saisiyat women, leading a Saisyiat warrior to kill

all but two of the members of the tribe in revenge. The survivors taught the Saisiyat the songs to appease the spirits of those who lost their lives

so that all would continue to go well with the Saisiyat people. Thao tribe The tribal legend of the Thao says that this tribe once lived on Alishan. One day some hunters chased a white deer and found themselves on the

banks of this lake, and realized that it was a good place to live. They fished in the waters using nets, spears or and traps made from rattan or

bamboo.Every family of the Thao has an ancestral spirit basket, which is usually hung on the wall of their home. Into it are placed the clothes

and jewelry worn by the deceased members of their family. During the New Year worship of ancestral spirits, these baskets are brought to the

ceremonial grounds. Wine is offered to the ancestral spirits and traditional songs and dances are performed including pestle music, which

involves seven or eight pestles that are struck against rocks placed on the ground.

Tsou tribe The Tsou tribe is mostly concentrated in Alishan Township of Chiayi County. The two communities of Dabang and Tefuye each have a kuba or

men’s meeting hall, where the males of the tribe gathered to decide important issues and to train the young warriors in fighting and hunting, as

well as the legends of the tribe. The Warring Ceremony (Mayasvi) is held each year at the kuba, either in Dabang or Tefuye. This ceremony

originally took place several times a year, to mark an important battle or a major event such as the completion of a house or the renovation and

repair of a kuba.

Detailed itinerary:

Alishan National Scenic Area (Chiayi County) The Alishan National Scenic Area covers four townships in Chiayi County, located in southern

Taiwan. It is famous for its towering mountains, pristine forests, cherry blossoms, tea plantations,

coffee plantations, and indigenous Tsou culture. Although this scenic area is rich in natural forest,

Alishan was once home to a flourishing forestry industry. Traces of that can be seen in the small

town of Fenqihu and in the narrow gauge railway that zigzags up the mountain. The indigenous

Tsou tribe is concentrated in eight communities—four in the northern part of this scenic area and

four in the southern part. The Tsou have been working to protect various aspects of their culture,

such as the Mayasvi or Warring Ceremony. This traditionally took place several times during the

year to mark the renovation of a kuba (men’s meeting hall), the construction of a house or the start

of a battle. Today, it is held on average once a year. Tsou communities also offer the opportunity to

explore this tribe’s interdependent relationship with nature, such as Bird Worship Trail, which

describes the use of flight patterns and calls of a certain species of bird to determine if it is a good

time to set out on a hunt. Although the Tsou did not develop their cultural industries as early as

some of Taiwan’s other tribes, there are still a number of workshops producing interesting works

based on cultural themes such as wood carvings, rattan weaving and leather engraving.

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Xinyi Township (Nantou County)

Xinyi Township is located in the mountainous part of Nantou County. In good weather, it is

possible to see to the peak of Yushan (also known as Mt. Jade), Northeast Asia’s tallest peak.

Many hikers start their journey to the summit of Yushan in Xinyi Township, as there is a large

concentration of certified ecotour guides in this township, most from the Bunun tribe. In addition to

the hike to Yushan, there are a number of trails in this township. The Dongpu hot springs are

naturally at a temperature of about 49 degrees Celsius and are carbonate springs that are colorless

and odorless. This is a major farming area. One of its main agricultural products is plums. These

are turned into a number of products including wine, which can be sampled and bought at a winery

established by the township’s farmers’ association.

Sun Moon Lake (Nantou County)

Sun Moon Lake is Taiwan’s largest freshwater lake, located at an elevation of 748 meters

above sea level. The lake is divided into two sections by Lalu Island. One section is circular,

somewhat shaped like the sun, while the other is more crescent shaped, similar to the moon. Thus,

this is how the lake got its name. Lalu Island is considered the dwelling place of the ancestors and

the sacred land of the Thao tribe. Thao legend tells that the tribe originally lived in Alishan but

hunters following a mysterious white deer found their way to the banks of this lake and found it to

be a good place to live. This is a very diverse scenic area with more than a dozen hiking trails, cycling paths and boat

tours. In addition to a Thao village, there are several temples to explore including those devoted to

Confucius and to two monks from the Tang Dynasty. In addition, at the top of the Cien Pagoda are

panoramic views of this breathtaking lake and its surrounding mountains.

Nanzhuang Township (Miaoli County) Nanzhuang Township in Miaoli County is rich in cultural diversity. The indigenous Atayal

and Saisiyat tribes inhabit this township’s mountainous areas along with a significant Hakka

population. Hakka food and handicrafts can be enjoyed along Nanzhuang Old Street. In Shibi

Village is the Raisinay Workshop. This workshop specializes in weaving and dyeing. Traditionally,

the Atayal grew ramie, a type of Asian hemp, and processed the fibers to weave into cloth. They

dyed this cloth using several plants to create different colors. Visitors can view a weaving

demonstration and can dye a handkerchief to take home with them. Also in Nanzhuang Township

is Xiangtian Lake. This village is named for the lake, next to which the Pasta’ay (Dwarf Spirit

Ceremony) takes place every two years. According to tribal legend, there were once a people who

were short in stature with dark skin referred to as ta’ay. They taught the Saisiyat how to grow crops

and passed on other valuable knowledge. However, the men were very aggressive in their dealings

with Saisiyat women, which angered the Saisiyat warriors. The Saisiyat warriors took revenge by

killing all but two of the ta’ay. However, their crops began to fail and they met with other

misfortune. The surviving ta’ay taught them the songs to appease the ta’ay spirits, which are

performed every two years. Next to the ceremonial grounds is a cultural center with displays in

Chinese and English on various aspects of Saisiyat culture. A nature trail leads around the lake and

through this Saisiyat village.

In the past, suspension bridges were important conduits between villages in remote areas.

Many of these suspension bridges have been rebuilt, such as the Donghe Suspension Bridge. From

here, there are excellent views of the surrounding mountains and river below. Near the Donghe

Suspension Bridge are examples of traditional Saisiyat structures, such as a granary, and a visitor

center created from a building left over from the Japanese occupation era (1895-1945).